‘Do you hear the people sing?’: Cast delivers redemption, revolution and romance in classic ‘Les Misérables’

March 13, 2025

By Farah Afifi
Staff Writer

A cast of 46 students took the middle school stage on Feb. 13-15, as they performed “Les Misérables,” a musical based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 classic novel.   

The show, which features music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, is set in 19th-century France and covers roughly 17 years, including the June Rebellion.

It opens with the protagonist, a peasant named Jean Valjean (senior Drew Bancroft), who is beginning his parole after spending 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and attempting a jailbreak.

The show jumps ahead a few years to feature Valjean, who has broken his parole and is using an alias as the mayor of a small town. Valjean finds out a man has been arrested after being mistaken for him, so he goes to court and confesses his true identity. This fuels the antagonist, Inspector Javert (junior Joseph Brennen), to try to take him back to prison. 

“There is never going to be another show like this at LHS again, so I wanted to make sure that this show left its mark.”

 Music teacher Ms. Wise, who has co-directed LHS’ musicals with English teacher Mrs. Ruiz for the past 15 years, said the show was a success.

“[It was] one of the most memorable and amazing [musicals] that we’ve put on so far,” Wise said.

She said she was excited to bring this intricate production to Lyndhurst.

“[Mrs.] Ruiz and I dreamed about doing this musical since the beginning, and it [is] our favorite musical of all time,” Wise said.

She said 2025 was the perfect time to stage “Les Misérables” because this year’s cast had the ability and talent to perform this sung-through musical. 

“It [required] a lot of ownership and responsibility [for the] cast members to learn an entire musical that is completely sung that has no dialogue at all,” Wise said. 

Bancroft, a webmaster for The Lighthouse who has performed in LHS’ musicals since his freshman year, said playing Valjean was challenging, as the role is commonly considered the most demanding male role in musical theater. 

“The range that is required, both emotionally and vocally, is definitely something that pushed me to my limits as a performer,” Bancroft said. 

He said he knew how much the show meant to the directors, which motivated him to put forth his best effort.

“I found myself spending most of my free time after school studying my songs, perfecting each lyric and note. There is never going to be another show like this at LHS again, so I wanted to make sure that this show left its mark,” Bancroft said. “What we made this year was history.”

Junior Jaelle Alvarado, who was in the ensemble, said her favorite part of the show was creating cherished memories, interacting with her friends in the cast and singing for a special purpose.

“Being in the ensemble is an incredible experience [because] the show… would not be complete without it,” Alvarado said. 

As an ensemble member, Alvarado had to navigate quick costume changes and portray five minor characters. 

“Being able to get into the mindset of the characters as I was playing the role was [a] challenge,” Alvarado said. “There are so many emotions in the scenes that change from one song to the next that you have to [commit yourself] to execute that feeling right.” 

Senior Summer Caffrey, who played the greedy and manipulative Madame Thénardier, said her favorite part of “Les Misérables” is the music. Among the most well-known songs in the show are “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” “I Dreamed a Dream” and “One Day More.”

“The orchestration and the lyrics are so heartfelt and touching. Every time I watched it, or even listened to it, it made me tear up,” Caffrey said. “The pictures that the lyrics paint are just so beautiful.”

Caffrey said she was glad Lyndhurst residents came out to support the arts, even if they had not previously heard of “Les Misérables.”

“It really means a lot to the actors, the people in the pit orchestra and the people working backstage and working on the lights,” Caffrey said. 

She said she feels emotional about her last performance in an LHS musical. 

“I’ve made so many connections with people in the cast and with my directors,” Caffrey said. “It’s really sad to know that I’m leaving them so soon, but it’s also exciting knowing that [I went] out with a bang with such an amazing show. It’s a happy-sad moment.”

PHOTOS BY NATALIA HERNANDEZ & AUTUMN ORTIZ